By Jim Carchidi
September 14, 2026
Orlando city leaders will mark the completion of the two-way Magnolia Avenue redesign this week. The project was the first of a two-phase plan for the roadway overhaul and a key component of the DTO Action Plan.
Phase 1
Construction began on Magnolia Avenue in January, reconfiguring the layout from a one-way to a two-way street. Medians and planters were removed to make room for lane widening and LYMMO bus operations were integrated into the normal traffic flow. A total of 92 on-street parking spaces were also created between South and Livingston streets, bringing the total number of Magnolia Avenue spaces to 103.
Phase 2
A City of Orlando illustration shows the complete vision for Magnolia Avenue.
With the redesign phase complete, Phase 2 will focus on landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian and multimodal access upgrades between South and Livingston streets. Construction is expected to begin next year and end in 2028.
Church Street redesign
The DTO Action Plan is backed by more than $200 million in city investments aimed at creating a more walkable, engaging lifestyle center in the downtown core. A road redevelopment effort on Church Street broke ground in July.
A City of Orlando illustration shows the curbless redesign along Church Street.
The project is beginning with a lane widening that includes curbless, festival street designs and infrastructure upgrades between Garland Avenue and the railroad tracks. The next phase will extend the festival street designs from the train tracks to Orange Avenue with planters and moveable benches. Completion is expected in the fourth quarter of 2027. A third phase will extend from Orange Avenue to Magnolia Avenue, converting the corridor from one-way eastbound to two-way traffic. Completion is expected by early summer 2028.
More DTO Action Plan projects
Additional DTO Action Plan projects include The Canopy community space, expected to break ground before the fall. The 0.3-mile area between W. Church and W. Washington streets will feature walking paths and art installations in the southern portion, and about 300 parking spaces and ride share zones at the north end.
Construction of downtown Orlando’s next pocket park at 30 S. Orange Ave. will add a shaded area, greenspace, water feature, and food truck parking. A groundbreaking has not been scheduled.
A signature gateway into Lake Eola Park, currently in the design phase, will replace the City Center building at 205 E. Central Blvd. with a plaza, shaded areas, and a direct view of the Lake Eola fountain.
And negotiations are in progress with Wharton-Smith, Inc. for $30 million in Lake Eola Park upgrades that include moving the swan boat dock, improving water quality, and a new walkway.
What’s next
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose will mark the completion of Magnolia Avenue Phase 1 during a grand opening event at 105 S. Magnolia Ave. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 10:30 a.m.
Community updates are expected as progress continues on the remaining DTO Action Plan projects.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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